In this week’s parashah, the Jewish people is born with God’s call to Abraham “Lech l’cha, Go forth…go forth to a land that I will show you.” God promises that Abraham will be the founder of a great nation. God will bless Abraham and make his name great, and he will a source of blessing Continue Reading »
I believe that neither I nor too many other Torah commentators could have written a more cogent and concise drash on this week’s Torah portions, Matot and Masey, than is expressed in the Hebrew words above. These parashiot, the penultimate and ultimate of the Book of Numbers, are combined this year so as to assure Continue Reading »
Rabbi Ben Bag Bag said of the Torah, “Turn it over and over, for all things are contained in it.”[1] The Torah is like a diamond. Examined from any angle, a different facet of its brilliance is revealed. It is ancient, and yet seemingly ever new. It is well known, yet unceasingly surprising. It is Continue Reading »
One of the things I enjoy most about being part of the leadership of Temple Beth-El is the opportunity to speak to our young people on the morning of their bar or bat mitzvah. On each such occasion, I make sure to emphasize that as young Jewish adults, they will have a different and increased Continue Reading »
